Likely decal downgrades plate’s value
Dear Collector,
Please pick from these several pics, and give me a value and time of manufacture on one of them?
My choice is the plate/dish made in the Bavarian town of Selb at Philip Rosenthal’s factory. Although there’s a very attractive young lady in classical dress on this circa 1901 porcelain piece, I assume she’s not been hand painted but rather is a decal. That being the case, value is about $30 to $40.
Dear Collector,
Rummaging around my late father’s belongings, I found this five pocket pouch with snap closings. My father served in the First Infantry Division during WWII, so I assume it is a piece of Army gear. What exactly is it?
Among grunts, which is what infantry soldiers may call themselves, the saying goes: “If you have to be one, you should be a Big Red One,” referring to the large number one shoulder patch worn by members of that famous division. Your keepsake held five stick magazines, which in turn held 20-rounds for the military version of the Thompson submachine gun, commonly called a “Tommy Gun.” Value is about $50.
Dear Collector,
In 1965 I went to the World’s Fair in New York. Among the things I bought is this Unisphere ashtray. I don’t remember what I paid, but it wasn’t more than a dollar as I was allowed to spend just $5 for all my souvenirs, and I got seven of them.
The Unisphere, erected by United States Steel, was the symbol for the 1964/1965 exhibition, and still stands in Flushing Meadows; also the site for New York’s 1939-1940 World’s Fair. Your memento can be found on eBay, the Internet auction site, offered for between $5 and $10.
Dear Collector,
How much do you think this Bunny Bread thermometer is worth?
Your circa 1950 circular dial thermometer touting this regional bread company has a potential of $300, but only if it works.
Dear Collector,
The only thing left of this “Stratosphere” game is the box. Does it have any value without any of the pieces?
There were two versions of this 1936 board game from Whitman Publishing; both covers, highly suitable for framing, show a colorful retro-style rocket blazing across the heavens. Just because something isn’t all there doesn’t mean that’s all there is.
Dear Collector,
My mother emigrated from Chile in the 1930s. She brought this 20 peso note with her; what is it worth as a collectible?
There are almost as many explanations for the derivation of the country’s name as there are Chileans, so I won’t list them here. The peso is a monetary unit based on silver that was brought over from Spain hundreds of years ago, and is the basis for the currency of several South American nations. Your mother’s note was issued from 1906 to 1914, so must have been in circulation for a long time before it reached her hands. In very good condition, it could be worth $20 to $30.